Today, the first round of the French presidential elections will be held in Lebanon in 12 polling stations distributed over various regions, including the headquarters of the French Embassy in Beirut, where regarding 18,742 voters will elect a new president for them from among 12 candidates representing all political spectrums in France.
There is a huge turnout at the polls at the French embassy, which opened its doors from eight in the morning until seven in the evening, in a democratic and calm atmosphere, in the presence of the French Ambassador, Anne Greu, the embassy staff, and a large number of media outlets.
The Consul General of France, Julien Bouchard, pointed out that “the first round of the French elections is taking place in Lebanon for the French citizens registered here, and that organizing these elections for the French residing in Lebanon is a victory for democracy.” Pointing out that “there are regarding 18,742 registered voters, who vote from eight in the morning until seven in the evening.”
He said: “For us, this time is very important in order to enable our citizens, who live regarding 3,000 kilometers from Paris, to express their opinion democratically, and this is a very important matter. 15 days, which are all the result of weeks of preparation by the embassy team, to which I thank, under the ambassador’s supervision.
He pointed out that “all those involved in organizing these elections, from the embassy and others, volunteered for free, and this is evidence of their commitment to citizenship, and we are glad that our citizens were as we entrust them on time.” He pointed out that “the elections are taking place quietly and in a transparent manner, and this is important for us.”
In response to a question regarding the importance of these elections, which take place at a close date with the Lebanese parliamentary elections, he replied: “This is a coincidence. The French elections were decided regarding a year before they took place, and setting dates is purely a coincidence.”
Regarding the problems in organizing the elections due to the well-known situation in Lebanon, he said: “We did not encounter any problems, despite the difficulties arising from the situation in Lebanon, and I take this opportunity to thank all the Lebanese authorities who knocked on their door to obtain approvals or cooperation from the security forces, and they all responded because they realize the importance of Organizing these elections on her soil, through you, I would like to thank her.”
He pointed out that “the percentage of holders of Lebanese and French nationalities is very high in Lebanon, regarding 80 percent of the French registered in Lebanon.” He said: “The basic principle of the elections is to secure the secrecy of the ballot, and the embassy and consulate’s job is to organize the elections in a calm, transparent and safe manner, while respecting the French laws and regulations as they are applied in France.”
He pointed out that “the number of French residents in Lebanon is regarding 21,000 and they are registered at the consulate. Those who have the right to vote are those who have reached the age of 18 and are registered on the electoral list. We have 12 polling stations across Lebanon and 8 polling stations in Beirut, 4 of which are in The embassy has 4 in the French Lycée, two election offices in Jounieh and Sidon, and one in Tripoli, and this year also here at the embassy we allocated a polling station for French residents in Damascus and Syria who wish to vote here, as it is the responsibility of the Consulate General in Beirut to organize the election of those registered on the voter list in Damascus and the voting Here in Beirut.
He concluded: “So far, the turnout is good, and the results will be officially announced by the Constitutional Council in France.”